Close Enough to Touch

A Novel

Jubilee Jenkins is a young woman with a rare and debilitating medical condition: she's allergic to other humans. After living as a recluse, Jubilee is forced to leave home and face the world - and the people in it - that she's been hiding from. Eric Keegan is struggling to figure out how his life got so off-course. Then, one day, he meets a mysterious woman named Jubilee, with a unique condition.

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Such an unusual story about a character who is allergic to other people. The connection between Jubilee and Aja is heart-warming. Eric hugging Jubilee after he wraps a blanket around her like a burrito is creative. The author obviously understands what working in a library is like.

I really liked this book. It has a very unique plot and I loved the characters. It was humourous yet emotional. Bonus: I enjoyed the fact that a great deal of the book took place in a public library and that the protagonist loved to read.

This was such a heart warming, touching, funny, insightful book. Very enjoyable plot, I thought the characters were so alive and real. For a "romance" book, I laughed and even got goose-bumps a few times. I recommend this book.

This was a very enjoyable book. All the characters had their flaws, but it was filled with joy, love and discovery as each of them worked through the sorrow that was in their lives. The writing was easy and filled with caring. Caring about the characters and setting the environment for them to be and to grow. Even though Jubliee's condition was not real, her anxiety, loneliness , and fear were real. Loved the interactions with the different characters and the journey that they took separately and together. Just a delightful read.

I really liked this cute book. Jubilee, Eric and little Aja each have their own struggles to overcome which they are able to work on together. There is good chemistry between Jubilee and Eric; and a fun, quirky bond between Jubilee and Aja. Filled with both tender and witty moments, this heartwarming story is a very enjoyable read.

Close Enough to Touch encourages the reader to suspend disbelief and go where the author takes you. Jubilee Jenkins, Eric Keegan, and Aja are likable, rounded, and hilarious characters. Jubilee is allergic to human touch and nearly dies after her first kiss. Jubilee's mother leaves her to marry a millionaire. Instead of going to college and finding a way to be around people, Jubilee decides to stay home and then slips into being an agoraphobic who cannot leave her house. Nine years later, Jubliee's mother suddenly dies and her step-father cuts off her allowance. Jubilee leaves her house and runs into a girl from high school who gives her a job as a circulation assistant at the local library.

This humorous novel is touching. The writing is conversational and engaging.Oakley again shows us how funny, touching, and quirky life can be.

Quotes

I stand on shaky legs and fall into the blanket, into him. He wraps me up like a burrito, holding me tight. My shoulders shudder from laughing, but he doesn't let go.
Not even when his shoulders start to match the movement of mine. Not even when neither one of us in laughing anymore.
p 280.